Hiddenite Rocks & Minerals

Hiddenite, NC is located within the Cat Square terrane (terranes are groups of rock formations that were produced by specific geologic events, making them different from their neighbors):

The Cat Square terrane is made up primarily of metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schist with intrusions of granite running through them. These granitic rocks are where some of the most valuable emeralds in the country have been found, along with hiddenite and other gemstones.
The Cat Square terrane also has lithium deposits (used in batteries, in high demand now due to the increased production of electric vehicles)
Crushed stone, which is used for building materials for building and road construction, is also one of the biggest natural commodities for the region.

Read more about Cat Square Terrane

This structure is called a GEM POCKET, it forms inside a rock as water flows through cracks in the rock and the minerals in it crystalize in air pockets. Similar to a geode! This pocket was extracted intactly, even with the surrounding soil. It was owned by Mr. Glenn Bolick, who was an experienced gem seeker.

Minerals in this pocket: emeralds, quartz, amethyst, sapphire and hiddenite.

Source: photo exhibited inside the Lucas Mansion in Hiddenite. This structure is called a GEM POCKET, it forms inside a rock as water flows through cracks in the rock and the minerals in it crystalize in air pockets. Similar to a geode! This pocket was extracted intactly, even with the surrounding soil. It was owned by Mr. Glenn Bolick, who was an experienced gem seeker.Minerals in this pocket: emeralds, quartz, amethyst, sapphire and hiddenite.

Hiddenite Gemstones

A number of mines around Hiddenite, NC have yielded a variety of gemstones of high economic value. Including:

Hiddenite
Ruby
Amethyst
Aquamarine
Sodalite

Mica
Jasper
Emerald
Sapphire
Quartz

Citrine
Garnet
Rutile
Mozanite

Most of the mines in the area are now inactive or closed to the public. Emerald Hollow Mine, is one that is still in operation and open to the public. It offers the opportunity for aspiring prospectors to try their hand at digging and chasing mineral veins (activities include sluicing, creeking and digging inside the mine). For accessible information about native gems, you can read more at: Gemstones in Hiddenite

Source

Hiddenite is known for its abundance and place of origin of the mineral called Hiddenite! It was discovered in 1879 near Stony Point. Dr. J. Lawrence Smith of Louisville, Kentucky determined that the mineral was spodumene, which is made up of lithium aluminium inosilicate. It was named after the original discoverer, W.E. Hidden. There is more information about this on the tab Hiddenite: The Mineral.

Hiddenite Soils

The most common soil in Hiddenite, NC is ultisol, or red clay soil! It is rich in iron oxides which gives it that bright red color. This soil comes from the weathering of the nearby rocks, and the most dominant mineral is kaolinite. This soil type is common on the East coast of the U.S. in areas that are warm and humid.

Hiddenite River Basin

Source

Hiddenite is in the Yadkin-PeeDee river basin. A river basin is an area of land where all the rain runs down from the surface into a river. For Hiddenite, this river is the Yadkin river. This river basin is where the first documented discovery of gold in the U.S. took place! Some nearby rivers include the Abbotts Creek, Catawba River, Yadkin River, and Little Yadkin River. Alexander County has two river basins: Yadkin-PeeDee and Catawba.

Alexander County has two river basins: Yadkin-PeeDee and Catawba

The large blue portion in the picture to the left is Yadkin-PeeDee river basin, the pink is Catawba.

Hiddenite Rocks & Minerals

Hiddenite Gemstones

Hiddenite Soils

Read more: Ultisol Soils

Hiddenite River Basin